Gospel of Mark Bible Study Notes

Verses to read

• “The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

  Mark 1:1

• “For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

  Mark 10:45

Who wrote the Gospel of Mark?

A man named John Mark wrote this book. He was not one of the twelve main disciples, but he was a close friend of Peter. Many people believe Mark wrote down the stories that Peter told him about Jesus.

Mark also traveled with other leaders like Paul and Barnabas. Even though Mark was young and made mistakes, God used him to write this important part of the Bible.

Who was this book written for?

Mark wrote his book for people living in Rome. These people were not Jewish, so Mark had to explain Jewish customs to them. He wanted to show the Romans that Jesus had great power and authority.

Since Romans liked action, Mark kept his writing short and quick. He did not include long lists of family names or many long speeches. He focused on the miracles Jesus did to help people.

Jesus the Suffering Servant

The main theme of Mark is that Jesus is a servant. A servant is someone who works for others. Jesus did not come to be a rich king on earth. He came to wash feet, heal the sick, and help the poor.

Mark shows us that being a leader means serving others. Jesus even died on the cross to pay for the bad things people do. This was the ultimate way for him to serve the world.

The Power of Jesus over all things

Mark records many miracles to show that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus shows power over nature by stopping a big storm. He shows power over sickness by healing people who could not walk or see.

These stories prove that Jesus is not just a good teacher. He has the power of God. When we read Mark, we learn that we can trust Jesus with our problems because nothing is too hard for him.

Common questions

Why is Mark different from other Gospels?

Mark is shorter and focuses more on actions than long sermons. It was likely the first Gospel written and moves at a very fast pace.

What does the word Gospel mean?

Gospel means 'Good News.' It is the good news that Jesus came to save people from their sins.

Why does Mark use the word 'immediately' so much?

Mark uses this word to show that Jesus was always working. It gives the reader a sense that the work of God is urgent and important.

How does the book of Mark end?

The book ends with Jesus rising from the dead after being killed on a cross. He tells his followers to go and tell the whole world the Good News.